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At the Rink: Penguins at Stars

by
Steve Hunt
/ NHL.com

DALLAS -- For the first time since 2009, someone other than Kari Lehtonen will be the starting goaltender on opening night for the Dallas Stars.

Antti Niemi was first off the ice after the morning skate and will get the start for Dallas on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins at American Airlines Center, but Stars coach Lindy Ruff doesn't feel there's any sort of goalie controversy.

"I thought [Niemi's] preseason was pretty good," Ruff said. "We know we're going to use both goaltenders. So for me, Antti is the guy that gets the nod (to open the season)."

Ruff had center Cody Eakin on the top line at the morning skate alongside left wing Jamie Benn with Tyler Seguin on the right. Ruff has used similar lines in practice the past few days.

"It's an option that we use in practice and want to look at," Ruff said. "There's no guarantee tonight Eakin's going to play in the middle, but I wanted Tyler on the wing a little bit and he might be right back in the middle tonight."

Penguins coach Mike Johnston likes what Kessel has done thus far alongside Kunitz and Crosby, but knows developing chemistry with them will take time.

"Those three played together three games, and I think they're starting to get some chemistry," Johnston said. "It probably always takes a couple weeks for new player to get ingrained with the team and new linemates, different style of play maybe from what he's used to, but Phil's been great so far. I thought so far they've had really good chemistry."

Right wing Daniel Sprong will make his NHL debut on the fourth line alongside left wing Bobby Farnham and center Matt Cullen. Crosby offered Sprong some simple advice heading into his debut.

"[Sprong] had his gear on I think 20 minutes before the morning skate this morning, so I think he's pretty excited," Crosby said. "We've all been there. It's a pretty cool feeling and pretty cool to see as a teammate."

Marc-Andre Fleury was first off the ice for the Penguins at morning skate and will start in goal.